Phillies' Hamels closing in on return

Left-hander recovering from tendinitis

The Philadelphia Phillies, who are 8-10, are scheduled to play their 21st game of the season Wednesday at Los Angeles. Left-hander Cole Hamels (left biceps tendinitis) will be activated before that game and make his 2014 debut, meaning that a wait of sorts will be over for manager Ryne Sandberg.

His projected rotation for this season will finally be healthy. That rotation was bolstered with the late addition of free agent A.J. Burnett, whom the Phillies signed on Feb. 16. That was right at the outset of spring training, by which time Hamels was behind as the result of the biceps tendinitis he had developed in November.

"Looking at the rotation once we did sign Burnett in the spring and the possibilities, we'll see it next week," Sandberg said, "when Hamels is in there and we start to see him pitch and see the rotation in complete strength. I've been waiting for that day."

The addition of Hamels will give the Phillies three bona fide No. 1 starters as he joins Burnett and left-hander Cliff Lee.

In addition, fifth starter Roberto Hernandez had given the Phillies a chance to win in every outing before Sunday, when he was lifted after giving up two hits to start the fifth. Both those runners scored, giving the Rockies a 6-3 lead in a game the Phillies came back to win 10-9.

The Phillies' other starter is Kyle Kendrick, who has lost seven consecutive decisions, including two this year, but in four starts this season is 0-2 with a 3.60 ERA.

"So all in all, it's the makings of a solid rotation," Sandberg said. "So to finally have that possibility and to see that (with the return of Hamels) -- I'm anxious for that."